Sciatica ? (1 Viewer)

[Stan]

Anybody ever deal with this before?

Started several weeks ago, first thought it was just my leg muscles compensating for a knee injury years ago, had two operations, last one in 2004, so that was where the doctors started looking. X-rays and MRI confirmed it, but the knee itself was fine, no pain or swelling, just some limping. Going to an orthopedic surgeon next week.

But the pain in my leg became excruciating, almost couldn't walk. Ran along the back of my leg from my left butt cheek to my knee. Finally went to an ER it was so bad. The ER doctor said almost immediately, sciatica along with "degenerative knee issues". Not fun. He put me on steroids and hydrocodone. Within a few hours, other than the limp, I felt wonderful. But only four days of pain meds, when they ran out, it came right back. Usually pretty tolerant with pain, but this is sometimes an 8-9 on the scale from 1-10.

Saw my own doctor Wednesday, just the slightest touch or twist during the exam and it was like an electric jolt shooting through my thigh. He put me on even stronger pain meds and a different steroid. Go back in a week to see him again, followed by the ortho appt. later that day.

No back injury, no back pain, but everything I've been told says it's a nerve problem in the lower back. Part of the treatment can be physical therapy, but the pain was so bad, my doctor said I wouldn't even be able to participate.

Guess I'll find out more next week. Just bring this up asking if any HTF members have any advice or experience with this.

I know this is one of those "To Much Information" type of posts, but HTF members can be very helpful and informative, so thought I'd give it a try.

Thanks

 

[Bob Gu]

In my case, after weeks of hoping it would go away, I finally went to the emergency room and they gave me painkillers and prednisone. This seemed to help but when the prednisone ran out, I tried to get more from my regular doctor but he didn't want to give it to me.. He was O.K. with giving me more painkillers?, and Naproxen. He sent me back to the ER for imaging tests.

While I was waiting, I was in a lot of pain and was laying on the floor, since that didn't hurt. It was weird. It was painful to sit or stand but I could walk. So I had the imaging and eventually they told me I had sciatica and a couple of slipped discs. A passing surgeon told me I be wasting my time taking pills, implying surgery.

Anyway, the same ER Doctor I had the first time, gave me more prednisone and this second round of the prednisone seemed to calm things down. I did go to therapy, only about seven times, just to learn the exercises. One of the therapists said that as the exercise eased the pain out of the ankle, leg, and hip, if/when I would start to feel the pain in my back it meant that things were healing. That was in 2007. I never had surgery and I don't take any pills. I stuck with the Naproxen for awhile, but don't take it now.

When I feel it coming back, I go back to the exercises. Exercise is key. Take the steroids and painkiller to enable you to do the exercises. Eventually, hopefully, you won't need the pills.

 

[Stan]

In my case, after weeks of hoping it would go away, I finally went to the emergency room and they gave me painkillers and prednisone. This seemed to help but when the prednisone ran out, I tried to get more from my regular doctor but he didn't want to give it to me.. He was O.K. with giving me more painkillers?, and Naproxen. He sent me back to the ER for imaging tests.

While I was waiting, I was in a lot of pain and was laying on the floor, since that didn't hurt. It was weird. It was painful to sit or stand but I could walk. So I had the imaging and eventually they told me I had sciatica and a couple of slipped discs. A passing surgeon told me I be wasting my time taking pills, implying surgery.

Anyway, the same ER Doctor I had the first time, gave me more prednisone and this second round of the prednisone seemed to calm things down. I did go to therapy, only about seven times, just to learn the exercises. One of the therapists said that as the exercise eased the pain out of the ankle, leg, and hip, if/when I would start to feel the pain in my back it meant that things were healing. That was in 2007. I never had surgery and I don't take any pills. I stuck with the Naproxen for awhile, but don't take it now.

When I feel it coming back, I go back to the exercises. Exercise is key. Take the steroids and painkiller to enable you to do the exercises. Eventually, hopefully, you won't need the pills.

Thanks for the info Bob. Very similar situation. ER doctor put me on hydrocodone and prednisone. When I saw my own doctor, he upped the hydro to a much higher dose, said drop the prednisone and put me on dexamethasone, apparently a much stronger steroid. The story continues, hope to find out more next week.

I hope this is just temporary, I do not want to go through surgery, especially when they're messing with your back and around your nerves, that sounds scary.

Odd instructions from the ER, they literally told me not to sit. Well good luck trying that. Although the worst pain is getting up or down from a sitting/laying position. Standing and walking slowly actually does help, but you can only keep that up for so long.

 

[Dr Griffin]

Years ago I had a ruptured disc that required surgery. I had the leg pain prior to the surgery, and it would take me a few minutes to be able to straighten up after sitting. The surgery cured me for decades, but recently after a bad twist or strain I will get a mild form of leg pain, usually from my lower back through the back of my pelvis and down to about the back of my knee, but fortunately it goes away in a few days. The pain you describe sounds like what I was feeling before I needed surgery. When I had it done, it was under the knife, and I have the big scar to prove it. Now the surgery is minimally invasive, and the recovery is much quicker. No reason to live with pain like that.

 

[Stan]

Years ago I had a ruptured disc that required surgery. I had the leg pain prior to the surgery, and it would take me a few minutes to be able to straighten up after sitting. The surgery cured me for decades, but recently after a bad twist or strain I will get a mild form of leg pain, usually from my lower back through the back of my pelvis and down to about the back of my knee, but fortunately it goes away in a few days. The pain you describe sounds like what I was feeling before I needed surgery. When I had it done, it was under the knife, and I have the big scar to prove it. Now the surgery is minimally invasive, and the recovery is much quicker. No reason to live with pain like that.

Thank you. Been reading some things and apparently this happens to a lot of people. I'm going through the same thing after sitting, sometimes I don't even want to stand up, knowing the inevitable pain I'll go through. If I'm sitting or laying down, I can find a good position and be okay, but eventually you have to get up and live your life. Can't be a couch potato forever. Maybe start running marathons, just kidding

I've heard the surgery is much less invasive now, and doctor wants to try everything else first. But as I mentioned, have to see a surgeon next week, so that may be the final solution.

Broke three ribs about six years ago and I thought that pain was bad. Didn't want to breathe, cough, sneeze or any kind of movement, which was of course impossible. This leg pain, in the exact same place you describe is far worse, so something is definitely wrong, hopefully fixable.

 

[Tony Bensley]

From what I've heard and read about prednisone, it isn't a medication that should be used long term, as its side effects are quite adverse. Although its Wikipedia entry doesn't list it, I believe my late father's end of life Parkinson's may have been caused in part, by the prednisone he was prescribed.

Anyway, all the best to you Stan! Hopefully, your team of medical professionals can help steer your course toward meaningful, and ultimately, full recovery!

CHEERS!

 

[Stan]

From what I've heard and read about prednisone, it isn't a medication that should be used long term, as its side effects are quite adverse. Although its Wikipedia entry doesn't list it, I believe my late father's end of life Parkinson's may have been caused in part, by the prednisone he was prescribed.

Anyway, all the best to you Stan! Hopefully, your team of medical professionals can help steer your course toward meaningful, and ultimately, full recovery!

CHEERS!

I think the prednisone side effects are why my personal doctor switched me off of them immediately. I took them for a few months about ten years ago after seeing a specialist, but same thing. My doctor said to stop, NOW. I don't even recall why they were prescribed, and silly of me to start up again, but it was only for a few days. Not until I read your post, which jogged my memory, did I realize how bad the med can be.

Considering it's almost a generic med, it's been out there forever, surprised it's still prescribed. Plus kind of expensive. The ER doc put me on a thing called a DosPak, 21 pills, with heavy dosages the first few days, and it was $35.

Then again, prescription meds seem to bounce all over the place in price. $30 for the original low dose hydrocodone and only 20 pills. My doctor put me on a much higher dose, 50 pills and they were $33. Makes no sense at times.

 

[Tony Bensley]

I suspect that with prednisone, it's a double edged sword in that it sometimes NEEDS to be prescribed short term for whatever reason. In my opinion, any medical professional worth their salt should NEVER prescribe it long term, however, and prednisone should also only be prescribed in a last resort/no other option scenario!

 

[Rob Willey]

Prednisone is usually not stopped cold-turkey. It is usually weaned slowly over weeks.

I developed sciatica about 15 years ago and was diagnosed with a compressed disc putting pressure on the nerve. I went to a physical therapist for about 10 visits and went away with a series of exercises with an exercise ball to strengthen my core. The idea is that strong core muscles help support the top half of the body minimizing pressure on the nerve. I have kept doing the exercises and haven't had significant pain in all that time.

It is still uncomfortable for me to stand still for long periods of time, so sometimes people will see me standing rotating my hips back and forth to the left/right. It probably looks weird but it helps, so... so be it.

 

[Stan]

Prednisone is usually not stopped cold-turkey. It is usually weaned slowly over weeks.

I developed sciatica about 15 years ago and was diagnosed with a compressed disc putting pressure on the nerve. I went to a physical therapist for about 10 visits and went away with a series of exercises with an exercise ball to strengthen my core. The idea is that strong core muscles help support the top half of the body minimizing pressure on the nerve. I have kept doing the exercises and haven't had significant pain in all that time.

It is still uncomfortable for me to stand still for long periods of time, so sometimes people will see me standing rotating my hips back and forth to the left/right. It probably looks weird but it helps, so... so be it.

I don't remember what the process was when I was on prednisone ten years ago for about three months. I'm assuming my doctor had me taper off slowly.

The stuff from last weekend, I only took for three days, so he said is was safe to just stop. It was only a 21 pill pak where you take three a day for a while, then two, one and zero, kind of a built in tapering process.

Even the new one he switched me to, dexamethasone is the same process. 18 pills, I take 3 a day for 3 days, 2 a day for 3 days, ending with 1 a day for 3 days.

 

[Clinton McClure]

My wife suffers from sciatica every now and then. Any physician worth his salt should never prescribe opioids (especially longterm) for that and I would run away screaming from any doctor recommending surgery because of a compressed or bulging disc. Stretching, walking and a few chiropractic visits combined with an anti-inflamatory (tylenol, advil, alieve, etc...) should be sufficient to get it under control.

 

[Stan]

My wife suffers from sciatica every now and then. Any physician worth his salt should never prescribe opioids (especially longterm) for that and I would run away screaming from any doctor recommending surgery because of a compressed or bulging disc. Stretching, walking and a few chiropractic visits combined with an anti-inflamatory (tylenol, advil, alieve, etc...) should be sufficient to get it under control.

I'm in "Mysteryville" with what's happening. One thing I can guarantee is I've never, ever experienced this type of pain. Maybe it's wrong, but the only thing that even allows me to function are opioids. At least taking them I can walk, and somewhat live life like normal.

Sadly due to some other issues, can't take NSAIDS (Advil, Aleve, etc.), but am allowed Tylenol. So now on opioids and a nerve "reliever", which makes life tolerable. Steroid dose is done, didn't seem to make an impact.

6 a.m. Monday, go in for a lumbar MRI, so hopefully we're getting closer to a solution.

PT is out for now because it's just to painful, I can't do it. I've talked with several people about chiropractic solutions, but that needs a referral from my PCP, etc. but something I just may pay for myself.

What I don't like about the opioids and nerve meds is that nothing is getting fixed. I can function somewhat normally, but the underlying problem is still there, the symptoms are simply being blocked, not a true solution.

 

[Clinton McClure]

The problem with opoid use is that after 5-10 days, the benefit is gone and your body starts going through withdrawal which causes (mainly) back pain. The quickest way to get rid of the pain is more opoids which cause more withdrawal and more pain. Wash, rinse, repeat. They also cause constipation which is unpleasant in and of itself.

I hope you can get your situation figured out and have some relief.

 

[Stan]

The problem with opoid use is that after 5-10 days, the benefit is gone and your body starts going through withdrawal which causes (mainly) back pain. The quickest way to get rid of the pain is more opoids which cause more withdrawal and more pain. Wash, rinse, repeat. They also cause constipation which is unpleasant in and of itself.

I hope you can get your situation figured out and have some relief.

Thanks.

Not to thrilled about taking the opioids, but for now, they're the only thing that helps. I've been really careful with them, not upping the dose, just one or two in the morning to function, so hopefully no withdrawal. Went through a withdrawal back in 2001 and wow, it was bad, never will I do that again. Kind of shocked my doctor didn't help with the issue. "Here's your prescription, good luck on your own". Broke some ribs and ended up with 200 oxycodone pills. Best pain med ever invented, at least for me. Life went on like normal, no high or "outer space" feeling, I could do things like normal, the pain was gone. Of course, behind the scenes I ended up physically addicted to them, so when I stopped, major shock to the body. But I worked through it and never took them again.

Should hear back in two days about the MRI and the saga continues. They actually wanted to put me in a wheelchair to get to the MRI machine, but being "Mr. Macho" I toughed it out Kind of embarrassing, but I was not going to sit in a wheelchair like I were 90 years old.

No constipation issues, so I'm okay there.

Anyhow, way to much info, but thanks for the advice.

 

[Clinton McClure]

Learned it from a board certified physician / addiction medicine specialist. Keep us updated.

 

[Stan]

Learned it from a board certified physician / addiction medicine specialist. Keep us updated.

Just to lighten things up Massive pain is the secret to major weight loss. I've dropped 15 lbs. since mid April.

Seriously just don't want to move or get up out of a chair. It's literally easier to just relax, stay seated, couch potato or just lay in bed. Food just drops down the list, you really don't care. It's more painful to get up and try and cook than it is to just not do anything.

With HTF, being a somewhat private group, I don't mind posting, so will keep things going until this gets solved.

For those not interested, this is "After Hours", so nobody is forcing you to read things. It's "Off Topic" so pretty wide open as long as people behave.

Maybe to much info, yet at the same time might help another member with what I'm dealing with.

 

[Mark Booth]

I feel your pain! My career was in the supermarket business. 35 years, 30 of which were in the produce department. I lifted, moved and stocked thousands of pounds of produce every single working day during those 30 years. The typical box of produce weighs about 40 pounds. 4-5 times a week I would move 20,000 pounds worth of those boxes from pallets to my cooler (I was the produce department manager and I liked my cooler to be organized). In retrospect, I should have delegated that work to a younger pup.

The low back problems, with sciatica, started after 28 years or so. By 30 years I was deemed 22% permanently disabled due to my back issues. In my case, no slipped discs. A couple of bulging ones but the majority issue is degenerative spine disease and arthritis. Lots of bone spurs at various joints throughout my body (the most recent problem is my right shoulder). I spent my last 5 years in the checkstand (still too much lifting). The minute I qualified for early retirement, I took it.

I also can't take NSAIDs regularly because I bleed (internally) too easily when I take them. Oral prednisone affects me pretty severely and causes sweats and I'm unable to sleep. So, I've had an ongoing prescription for hydrocodone since 2002 or so. When I was still working, I took hydrocodone every single day. Now, I only have to take it when things flare up. Just mowing the lawn can flare up my back and/or sciatic pain. I've also had multiple steroid injections in my back and, more recently, my shoulder.

When the problem was first diagnosed, I was having episodes of sciatica down both legs that felt like someone was using a propane torch on the underside of my legs. I still get episodes of such severe pain form time to time, depending on what I've been doing. Obviously, I try to avoid doing the things that cause it to happen. My right leg is the worst. The outside of my right foot feels a bit numb about 8 out 10 days. Some of those days it goes beyond numb and becomes painful and tingly. The leg pain comes and goes, depending on what I've been doing. If I attempt to lift something too heavy, the pain follows within 2-10 minutes. If I sit for too long or overuse my back by repeated bending (pulling weeds, etc.) then the pain usually takes an hour or more to show up. It's all about the inflammation that occurs from the activity. Sometimes I feel pretty okay on the day I did the activity and wake up the next morning regretting it.

I've been told that surgery can't fix what is going on with my back. Not that I'd let a surgeon near my back in the first place. Maybe if I had a ruptured disc or other problem that caused CONSTANT pain. But I'm getting by okay if I just be careful about what I do and take my hydrocodone as needed.

There are two activities where I do pretty okay. Walking and sitting in my car (driving). For some reason the seating position in my cars doesn't flare up my back. For long drives, I can get a stiff back, but that is different than the low back/sciatica pain. Interestingly, the seat in my Miata is more comfortable (for long drives) than the seat in my Infiniti. It might have something to do with the lower position and/or the stiffer suspension giving me a back massage.

Getting older sucks. But it beats the alternative.

Mark

 

[Stan]

I feel your pain! My career was in the supermarket business. 35 years, 30 of which were in the produce department. I lifted, moved and stocked thousands of pounds of produce every single working day during those 30 years. The typical box of produce weighs about 40 pounds. 4-5 times a week I would move 20,000 pounds worth of those boxes from pallets to my cooler (I was the produce department manager and I liked my cooler to be organized). In retrospect, I should have delegated that work to a younger pup.

The low back problems, with sciatica, started after 28 years or so. By 30 years I was deemed 22% permanently disabled due to my back issues. In my case, no slipped discs. A couple of bulging ones but the majority issue is degenerative spine disease and arthritis. Lots of bone spurs at various joints throughout my body (the most recent problem is my right shoulder). I spent my last 5 years in the checkstand (still too much lifting). The minute I qualified for early retirement, I took it.

I also can't take NSAIDs regularly because I bleed (internally) too easily when I take them. Oral prednisone affects me pretty severely and causes sweats and I'm unable to sleep. So, I've had an ongoing prescription for hydrocodone since 2002 or so. When I was still working, I took hydrocodone every single day. Now, I only have to take it when things flare up. Just mowing the lawn can flare up my back and/or sciatic pain. I've also had multiple steroid injections in my back and, more recently, my shoulder.

When the problem was first diagnosed, I was having episodes of sciatica down both legs that felt like someone was using a propane torch on the underside of my legs. I still get episodes of such severe pain form time to time, depending on what I've been doing. Obviously, I try to avoid doing the things that cause it to happen. My right leg is the worst. The outside of my right foot feels a bit numb about 8 out 10 days. Some of those days it goes beyond numb and becomes painful and tingly. The leg pain comes and goes, depending on what I've been doing. If I attempt to lift something too heavy, the pain follows within 2-10 minutes. If I sit for too long or overuse my back by repeated bending (pulling weeds, etc.) then the pain usually takes an hour or more to show up. It's all about the inflammation that occurs from the activity. Sometimes I feel pretty okay on the day I did the activity and wake up the next morning regretting it.

I've been told that surgery can't fix what is going on with my back. Not that I'd let a surgeon near my back in the first place. Maybe if I had a ruptured disc or other problem that caused CONSTANT pain. But I'm getting by okay if I just be careful about what I do and take my hydrocodone as needed.

There are two activities where I do pretty okay. Walking and sitting in my car (driving). For some reason the seating position in my cars doesn't flare up my back. For long drives, I can get a stiff back, but that is different than the low back/sciatica pain. Interestingly, the seat in my Miata is more comfortable (for long drives) than the seat in my Infiniti. It might have something to do with the lower position and/or the stiffer suspension giving me a back massage.

Getting older sucks. But it beats the alternative.

Mark

I've actually thought of going to work part-time doing just what you describe, basically something to get me more involved in the world, and then this pops up. Absolutely impossible to do physical stuff, have to hire somebody to do my lawn, shrubs, etc.

Mine is only in my left leg, I certainly hope it doesn't spread to both sides. The Monday lumbar MRI is supposed to show any herniated or swollen discs, now in the waiting period. See my doctor tomorrow and will ask for more hydrocodone, as it's the only thing that seems to help.

I've received loads of advice, but apparently it affects people differently. Some people say physical therapy (which right now is not an option, it's just to painful), see a chiropractor, wait it out and it will clear up on it's own, and even surgery. But surgery, especially near my spinal cord scares me, so that's hopefully way down the list of choices.

Been taking oral steroids, not a lot of help, but might be time to up them to actual injections.

The NSAID issue is very similar. I nearly bled to death from an ulcer about ten years ago, so NSAIDS are not allowed.

Interesting talking with people, they just see sciatica like the rest of us would see the common cold, just a nuisance and you'll get over it. So very wrong

The weird part is it just "appeared". No injury, no fall or accident, just woke up one morning and OMG, it was horrible. Ended up in the ER the pain was so bad. Still have no idea what set it off, but it's awful.

It's funny that you mention sitting in a car. One of the few positions I can tolerate. But wow, getting into or out of the car is not fun. I just brace myself and fall backwards into the driver's seat. A few seconds of extreme pain, especially tying to lift my leg into the car, but then I'm fine. Of course eventually I have to get out, so reverse the situation

I just hope my doctor ups my hydrocodone dose. Have no idea how pharmacies do their pricing, but 20 pills prescribed by the ER were $26, doctor upped it to 50 stronger pills, which cost $23. Last dose was 30 and they cost $27. Mystery pricing.

So far, I just take a couple of hydrocodone in the morning and I'm pretty good for the day, just that initial start-up period that's tough. Still painful, but only once in awhile do I need a "booster" to get through the day. But I'm certainly out mowing the lawn or working in the garden, just can't do it.

 

[Mark Booth]

Stan, Take stool softener daily!

Mark

 

[Stan]

OMG. Doctor appt. this morning. Originally prescribed 20, then 30, then 50 hydrocodone. 7.5/325 strength.

Now prescribed 120 10/325 pills and a steroid injection into the herniated disc that the MRI showed. My own doctor has done shoulder injections for me, but he won't touch the spinal area, so going to a specialist with more experience.

Still no physical therapy because it's very obvious I can't handle it, the pain is amazing. I was able to just lounge around and stay comfortable, but even that is now impossible, it hurts no matter what position I'm in. I sure hope the steroid injection helps.

I'm truly shocked at how many pain meds I've been given, especially this last dose of 120 pills. I'm being very stingy with them, no abuse, but wow, it's not what I expected. When you go into see your doctor, literally in tears from the pain, something is obviously not working right.

No particular reason, but I trust this forum and respect the members and their advice, so will probably keep posting until this gets settled. If I become a pest, let me know and I'll shut up.

I'm just claiming "senior" status. Been posting off and on since the late '90s, so I've been here a while